1996 Lexus GS300: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
1997: 1; 1999: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 526475 · 1997-11-25 (November 25, 1997)
HALOGEN HEADLAMPS ONLY SHINE DOWNWARD AND ARE NOT EFFECTIVE IN THE DARK RURAL ROADS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 526475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 547343 · 1999-07-19 (July 19, 1999)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION HITTING A TREE, RESULTING IN INJURIES. *YC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 547343 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V125000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 1999-05-19 (May 19, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE INSIDE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, EXCESSIVE WEAR CAN OCCUR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. SEPARATION OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE ARMS COULD OCCUR.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2013 | 2014 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 108.1%ODI 10279800 · 26,000 miA FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT MY 2006 LEXUS GS300 IN JAN., 2006, I EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF MY CAR. I WAS PASSING A CAR AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED THE BRAKE BUT IT SEEMED FROZEN..IT DIDN'T MOVE AT ALL. I QUICKLY THREW THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND AS I WAS ABOUT TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I SHIFTED INTO PARK...IT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE FIRST TIME I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR BACK UP, IT RACED. ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT IT SEEMED TO ST… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 3326.6%ODI 10246510DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT SHORTLY AFTER BEING TURNED ON. I HAD THIS SAME ISSUE ABOUT 3 TO 4 MONTHS AGO WITH MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THEY REPLACED THE WIRES AND HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT SINCE THEY COULD NOT VERIFY THE EXACT ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE. MY CAR IS A 2006 LEXUS GS 300. *TR | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1814.5%ODI 10483392 · 100,249 miCAR MAX, INC. SOLD [XXX] A DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE. DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE; 2006 LEXUS GS 300 VIN# [XXX] MILEAGE 100,249 CARMAX STOCK # [XXX]. CARMAX REFUSE TO REPAIR THE AUTOMOBILE. MARCH 9, 2012; ABOUT 8:45 PM (NIGHT), HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED (CUT OFF/ON REPEATEDLY). MARCH 28, 2012; LEXUS OF MEMPHIS REPLACED COGGED AC FILTER. ENGINE FRONT COVER SEAL HAS NOTICEABLE OIL LEAK, AND LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR DOES NOT WORK. INVOICE # [XXX]. MILEAGE 100,952. APRIL 6, 2012; THE FOLLOWING INDICATORS/WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED: BRAKE WEAR, SKID C… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 108.1%ODI 10246510DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT SHORTLY AFTER BEING TURNED ON. I HAD THIS SAME ISSUE ABOUT 3 TO 4 MONTHS AGO WITH MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THEY REPLACED THE WIRES AND HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT SINCE THEY COULD NOT VERIFY THE EXACT ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A ELECTRICAL ISSUE. MY CAR IS A 2006 LEXUS GS 300. *TR | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 150.0%ODI 11064741TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ERROR CODES P0751,P2757,C1201 CAR HAS 40,700 MILES! | 129.7%ODI 10380159 · 49,000 miWHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS AND APPLYING HEAVY THROTTLE, ENGINE BRAKING OR TORQUE MANAGEMENT ENGAGES CAUSING THE CAR TO FORCEFULLY RESIST ACCELERATION. HAPPENS ON WET OR SNOWY ROADS OR DRY CONDITIONS. THIS CONTROL SYSTEM ALSO KEEPS THE REAR WHEELS TURNING WHEN BRAKING IN SLIPPERY/SNOWY AND ICY CONDITIONS, EVEN WHEN COMPLETELY STOPPED. I'VE ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC IN RIGHT HAND TURNS. FLOORING IT CAUSES THE CAR TO BASICALLY TRY TO STOP ITSELF. THE SNOWY CONDITIONS ISSUE HAS CAUSES MY CAR TO TRY TO… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 108.1%ODI 10280934 · 53,089 miI PURCHASED MY 06 LEXUS GS300 LAST YEAR AROUND MAY OF 2008, FROM THE DAY THAT I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME, ALL I EVER EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES OF PROBLEMS. THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, I HEARD A REALLY BIG CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY, IT APPEARS TO BE SOME KIND OF CAM GEAR GRINDING, I TOOK IT TO LEXUS OF RENO TO HAVE IT FIX NOT ONCE BUT TWICE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, NOT TO MENTION THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN ALSO MAKE GRINDING NOISES, I'D ADDRESS THIS TO THE MECHANIC AT LEXUS AND THEY WOULDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE MY COMPLAINT… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 43.2%ODI 10483392 · 100,249 miCAR MAX, INC. SOLD [XXX] A DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE. DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE; 2006 LEXUS GS 300 VIN# [XXX] MILEAGE 100,249 CARMAX STOCK # [XXX]. CARMAX REFUSE TO REPAIR THE AUTOMOBILE. MARCH 9, 2012; ABOUT 8:45 PM (NIGHT), HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED (CUT OFF/ON REPEATEDLY). MARCH 28, 2012; LEXUS OF MEMPHIS REPLACED COGGED AC FILTER. ENGINE FRONT COVER SEAL HAS NOTICEABLE OIL LEAK, AND LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR DOES NOT WORK. INVOICE # [XXX]. MILEAGE 100,952. APRIL 6, 2012; THE FOLLOWING INDICATORS/WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED: BRAKE WEAR, SKID C… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Tires | 150.0%ODI 10331008 · 90,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LEXUS GS300. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGERS WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND WOULD NOT ROTATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000. UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE WAS REMOVED AND THE WHEEL WAS INSPECTED. THE FAULT WAS FOUND TO BE ROAD HAZARD MATTER, NOT A DEFECTIVE WHEEL. UPDATED 07/22/10*JB | 43.2%ODI 10226767 · 29,500 miONLY 29,500 MILES ON TIRES THAT FOR THE PRICE SHOULD LAST MANY THOUSAND MORE. OUR TIRES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE RUN IMPROPERLY INFLATED AND NOT ROTATED AS RECOMMENDED, BUT WE HAVE THE SERVICE PAPERS THAT PROVE OTHERWISE. I HAVE NOT HAD EXPERIENCE WITH DUNLOP BRAND TIRES AND AM QUITE DISAPPOINTED WITH MY ONLY EXPERIENCE. I WILL NEVER USE THIS MANUFACTURER AGAIN. MY FAMILY IS MUCH TOO IMPORTANT TO TRUST THEIR SAFETY WITH A COMPANY THAT DOESN'T TAKE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY. OUR TIRES STARTED LOOSING TREAD CHUNKS WHILE DRIVING 75-80 MPH O… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2018: 0 complaints · 2019: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Exterior Lighting:Headlights | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.